Report: Former Red player dead in apparent suicide

Former Major League Baseball player Ryan Freel has been found dead in his Florida home, and authorities are investigating his death as a possible suicide from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Jacksonville Sheriff's Office spokesman Shannon Hartley said Sunday that the 36-year-old Freel's body was found at his Jacksonville home Saturday afternoon. The medical examiner will make the final determination of the cause of death.

The career of the speedy Freel was cut short after eight seasons by head injuries. He spent six of his eight big-league seasons with the Cincinnati Reds and finished his career in 2009 with a .268 average and 143 steals.

The Florida native once estimated he'd sustained up to 10 concussions. Freel missed 30 games in 2007 after a collision with a teammate caused a concussion.

After appearing in nine games with Toronto during the 2001 campaign, he played for the Reds from 2003-08 before spending the 2009 campaign with the Orioles, Cubs and Royals.

"The Reds family is deeply saddened to hear of the death of Ryan Freel," the team said in a statement. "His teammates and our fans loved him for how hard he played the game, and he loved giving back to the community. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends."

Freel, who won the Reds' hustle award in 2007, was a career .268 hitter in 594 big league games.